BG1: Strongest Possible Party
Mlarz
(not considering alignments), who would you pick?
the_smurf
Minsc - Heavy melee damage
Dynaheir - Good spell damage
Coran - Archer and thief skills
Kivan - Very good archer
Yeslick - Melee damage and healing
"Mlarz" <ml...@aol.com> wrote in message
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m...@tadyatam.org
>
> If you were going to try to create the strongest possible party of NPCs in BG1
> (not considering alignments), who would you pick?
Can you define "strongest" (in the context of the question)?
--J
Replies to: jNpolak(at)Ojuno(dot)Tcom
Ryan
Dynaheir. IMHO, Edwin would make a much better mage =)
Ryan
the_smurf <the_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Barbarian X
"Mlarz" <ml...@aol.com> skrev i meddelandet
news:20010207205323...@ng-fx1.aol.com...
> If you were going to try to create the strongest possible party of NPCs in
BG1
> (not considering alignments), who would you pick?
If not considering alignments or which NPCs that does not work together:
If you are a fighter:
Viconia
Edwin
Shar-teel
Coran
Imoen
If you are a Thief:
Viconia
Edwin
Shar-Teel
Minsc
Coran
If you are a mage:
Viconia (getting boring huh? ;)
Shar-teel
Minsc
Coran
Imoen
/S
Ps.
The group I finished BG with the last time (which I like the best):
Me: Paladin
Viconia
Coran
Imoen
Dynaheir
Minsc
valkyrie
"Barbarian X" <this...@validadress.com> wrote in message
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Barbarian X
"valkyrie" <armva...@yahoo.com> skrev i meddelandet
news:3a828...@news.tm.net.my...
> a paladin n Viconia can co-exist??
>
> "Barbarian X" <this...@validadress.com> wrote in message
> news:2wsg6.864$It1....@nntpserver.swip.net...
> >
> > Ps.
> > The group I finished BG with the last time (which I like the best):
> > Me: Paladin
> > Viconia
> > Coran
> > Imoen
> > Dynaheir
> > Minsc
Not only that, but in BG2 they fell in love... :)
Love is blind, they say, and it might be true :)
/S
James Prieels
Since bows are so strong weapon in BG1, I'd pick:
You (Fighter/Mage)
Coran
Shar-Teel
Kivan
Minsc
Tiax
The best high-DEX artillery one can find. Shar-Teel would have to be
recruited early so her bow proficiency does not totally go to waste.
Tiax supports the party in terms of healing and thievery. His low AC
and pet Ghast can soak up damage. You serve as the mage if the party
ever needs one.
If you don't want to specialise your party strategy, you can also
assemble the best individuals at their trade:
You (Paladin or Dwarf/Elf Fighter)
Kagain
Shar-Teel, dualed to Thief
Coran
Viconia
Edwin
It's a close call between Viconia and Yeslick. The former has more
spells, high DEX and 50% magic resistance (a double-edged sword in
BG1). The latter has better HP, THAC0 and saving throws, and a Dispel
Magic ability. There's no difference in spell level cap for a multi-
class Cleric. The real reason I chose Vicky is that in this party,
Yeslick would come to blows with Kagain. An alternative would be Minsc
and Yeslick instead of Kagain and Viconia.
Cheers,
James
Sent via Deja.com
http://www.deja.com/
Colin E
> news:20010207205323...@ng-fx1.aol.com...
> > If you were going to try to create the strongest possible
party of NPCs in
> > BG1 (not considering alignments), who would you pick?
"the_smurf" <the_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:zwng6.9910$ts2.2...@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com...
> I would have my main character as a fighter (hevy melee damage)
with:
>
> Minsc - Heavy melee damage
> Dynaheir - Good spell damage
> Coran - Archer and thief skills
> Kivan - Very good archer
> Yeslick - Melee damage and healing
Given the power of the bow in BG1 I would agree with the Fighter
PC with some specialism in bow - usually as a back-up to longsword
or staff (blunt).
For the rest, it would be :
Minsc - Given the right equipment he'll hold up almost any
'fodder' for long enough :-)
Coran - The star archer in the game
Kivan - Just makes the first team in this company.
Khalid - Yep. He makes a surprisingly good archer if you
persevere. You get him early enough to really focus his talents.
There are disadvantages though :-).
Imoen - Archer-thief (Only Coran and Viconia have better Dex) to
level 6 before dualling (to the only mage you need).
Between them, they don't leave Minsc much to do - though the
occasional skeleton makes a difficult target.
--
Colin E
James Prieels
"Colin E" <co...@c-elliott.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> Given the power of the bow in BG1 I would agree with the Fighter
> PC with some specialism in bow - usually as a back-up to longsword
> or staff (blunt).
>
> For the rest, it would be :
>
> Minsc - Given the right equipment he'll hold up almost any
> 'fodder' for long enough :-)
> Coran - The star archer in the game
> Kivan - Just makes the first team in this company.
> Khalid - Yep. He makes a surprisingly good archer if you
> persevere. You get him early enough to really focus his talents.
> There are disadvantages though :-).
> Imoen - Archer-thief (Only Coran and Viconia have better Dex) to
> level 6 before dualling (to the only mage you need).
Hey Colin, I forgot all about Khalid... hiding under some table, I'll
bet. But you're right, he would make a better archer than Minsc, whom
I'd suggested in my post.
Purely power-wise, I'd still take a dualed Shar-Teel over Imoen,
though, and have the protagonist be a 19 DEX Elf Fighter/Mage. A
rnaged attack party won't need much on the sense of magic.
Derville
James Prieels <james_...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:95u6c2$jfs$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> In article <20010207205323...@ng-fx1.aol.com>,
> ml...@aol.com (Mlarz) wrote:
> > If you were going to try to create the strongest possible party of
> NPCs in BG1
> > (not considering alignments), who would you pick?
>
> Since bows are so strong weapon in BG1, I'd pick:
>
> You (Fighter/Mage)
> Coran
> Shar-Teel
> Kivan
> Minsc
> Tiax
>
> The best high-DEX artillery one can find. Shar-Teel would have to be
> recruited early so her bow proficiency does not totally go to waste.
> Tiax supports the party in terms of healing and thievery. His low AC
> and pet Ghast can soak up damage. You serve as the mage if the party
> ever needs one.
IIRC, Shar Teel started off my games with ** in short and long swords,
then she'd put her next proficiency into crossbows/missile weapons. I
still like dualling her to thief, as she's lethal when backstabbing with
Varscona. But hey, honourable mention for Tiax there. He's actually a
very capable NPC, and the only thing against him is that he's only
available in chapter 5. Here's hoping he makes it into BG3 (how about
the Bhaalspawn serving Tiax as he rules the world?)
Anyway, my own personal pick for best party would look a lot like (oh,
and this is assuming we take them all on board naked, so no gauntlets of
dexterity to boost poor AC's and the like);
You - Elven fighter/thief (I love these guys)
Coran (obviously ;-))
Edwin
Viconia
Kivan
Imoen
Very similar to James' first group, these people would rely on ranged
weapons a lot, but there's scope for variety (dualling Immy to mage,
still being able to send three men forward to melee etc). Edwin and
Viconia are the best NPC's of their type, so they get in by default.
Coran is the best archer, and Kivan gets there for being the second best
archer, as well as a decent melee support guy and having a top "Don't
bother me" personality. Imoen gets the final slot for her versatility
and all round high stats. The fighter/thief PC will be a bowman with
excellent stealth and find traps, who can de-trap a corridor, then pick
off weak enemies and lead the charge into the think oc battle.
--
P.
(Remove 'your.inhibitions' to reply)
Read the alt.games.baldurs-gate Usage FAQ:
www.demonspawn.net/bg/usage.htm
Colin E
> Hey Colin, I forgot all about Khalid... hiding under some
table, I'll
> bet. But you're right, he would make a better archer than
Minsc, whom
> I'd suggested in my post.
>
> Purely power-wise, I'd still take a dualed Shar-Teel over Imoen,
> though, and have the protagonist be a 19 DEX Elf Fighter/Mage.
A
> rnaged attack party won't need much on the sense of magic.
>
> Cheers,
> James
Without the Eagle bow Shar-Teel's power would be wasted as an
archer. In the front line I'll take Minsc - Shar-Teel's appalling
Con just doesn't gel for me with that strength.
As for Khalid (under a table), he may have a tendency to retreat
early if he's in the front line but I find that keeping him safe
at the back with a bow in his hands does wonders for his
confidence :-)
--
Colin E
Mlarz
don't lose 2 rps when taking her. Edwin is definitely the best mage, and Coran
belongs in any party. Khalid is good if you can get the gauntlets of ogre
power early.
Curt Fennell
> How about Branwen instead of Viconia?
She doesn't have Viconia's DEX and hence, isn't as good with ranged
weapons from a distance. Also, she's annoying.... "Our actions are
not those of warrior born!" - I've heard this right after a big fight.
But who could seriously construct a BG party without Minsc! I still
laugh when I hear "Evil 'round every corner! Be careful not to step in
any...."
Curt
--
Curt Fennell www.phins.com
"...and maddest of all, to see life as it is
and not as it ought to be!"
Barbarian X
"Colin E" <co...@c-elliott.fsnet.co.uk> skrev i meddelandet
> Without the Eagle bow Shar-Teel's power would be wasted as an
> archer. In the front line I'll take Minsc - Shar-Teel's appalling
> Con just doesn't gel for me with that strength.
Minsc's low dex makes him die more than shar-teel does...
> As for Khalid (under a table), he may have a tendency to retreat
> early if he's in the front line but I find that keeping him safe
> at the back with a bow in his hands does wonders for his
> confidence :-)
I always use him as a front line fighter if I have him in my team; he has
never rereated on me yet (I have finished the game with him twice). I think
you guys just let him get too wounded or something...?
> --
> Colin E
>
/S
Derville
IIRC, Viconia has 18 wisdom, so Branwen can't get higher than that (I
think Branwen only had 16, which is still high enough for BG1, but may
mean she misses out on 1 or 2 spells). As for gauntlets of ogre power,
they're off limits until chapter 5, and I'm not keeping Khalid in my
group at the expense of Minsc, Kivan et cie just to wait for that item.
I'd rather give the gauntlets to Coran and make him a more well rounded
character (even give him the Eagle Bow and pick up the strength bonus if
I haven't got Minsc or Shar-Teel).
Htn963
>
>She doesn't have Viconia's DEX and hence, isn't as good with ranged
>weapons from a distance. Also, she's annoying.... "Our actions are
>not those of warrior born!" - I've heard this right after a big fight.
This certainly gets my vote for the most nonsensical and annoying comment
by an npc in BG1 -- so Branwen, are true warriors not supposed to act too goody
goody, but aren't you just a cleric anyway?
>But who could seriously construct a BG party without Minsc! I still
>laugh when I hear "Evil 'round every corner! Be careful not to step in
>any...."
>
>Curt
>--
>Curt Fennell www.phins.com
>"...and maddest of all, to see life as it is
> and not as it ought to be!"
Never liked Minsc -- his humor is too loud and forced for my taste. Jan
of BG2, in his quiet way, is 10 times as funny.
To get back to the discussion of the makeup of a physically strong party,
though, I think Kivan and Coran are first round drafts, and Khalid and Ajantis
are adequate backups.
Colin E
>
> "Colin E" <co...@c-elliott.fsnet.co.uk> skrev i meddelandet
>
> > Without the Eagle bow Shar-Teel's power would be wasted as an
> > archer. In the front line I'll take Minsc - Shar-Teel's
appalling
> > Con just doesn't gel for me with that strength.
>
> Minsc's low dex makes him die more than shar-teel does...
Minsc Dex 15 Con 15
Shar-Teel Dex 17 Con 9
........ so Minsc's Dex is not that bad and there's a useful Dex
improvement aid around from very early in the game too :-)
> > As for Khalid (under a table), he may have a tendency to
retreat
> > early if he's in the front line but I find that keeping him
safe
> > at the back with a bow in his hands does wonders for his
> > confidence :-)
>
> I always use him as a front line fighter if I have him in my
team; he has
> never rereated on me yet (I have finished the game with him
twice). I think
> you guys just let him get too wounded or something...?
Yes, he can make an excellent front line fighter but at damage
over 50% of his hit points he'd rather not be leading the way.
Especially in the early game it's difficult not to get to that
position sometimes.
From about level 5 Khalid is effective at the front - it's just
that up to that point there are so many good alternatives :
Minsc, Shar-Teel, Ajantis, Branwen, Kivan .... in roughly that
order I think.
--
Colin E
Mlarz
Derville
> Viconia has an 18 Wisdom in BG2, but only a 15 Wisdom in BG1.
Have the bounders changed her stats? You're right, her stats in BG1 are
STR - 10; DEX - 19; CON - 8; INT - 16; WIS - 15; CHA - 14, according to
Dan Simpson's guide. Branwen, Yeslick and Faldorn all top the list of
wise persons with 16 WIS, along with Xzar and Dynaheir, oddly enough.
At least she kept her great dexterity score for BG2, though. I can only
guess that hiding from the stares of Amish citizenry made her wise
enough to avoid them, or something weird like that.
David Haire
David
"Derville" <ph...@your.inhibitions.gledson.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
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Derville
David Haire <art...@olympia.freeuk.com> wrote in message
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> "Derville" <ph...@your.inhibitions.gledson.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in
message
> news:96ro4q$kra$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > Mlarz <ml...@aol.com> wrote in message
> > news:20010217092754...@ng-fw1.aol.com...
> > > Viconia has an 18 Wisdom in BG2, but only a 15 Wisdom in BG1.
> >
> > Have the bounders changed her stats? You're right, her stats in BG1
are
> > STR - 10; DEX - 19; CON - 8; INT - 16; WIS - 15; CHA - 14, according
to
> > Dan Simpson's guide. Branwen, Yeslick and Faldorn all top the list
of
> > wise persons with 16 WIS, along with Xzar and Dynaheir, oddly
enough.
> > At least she kept her great dexterity score for BG2, though. I can
only
> > guess that hiding from the stares of Amish citizenry made her wise
> > enough to avoid them, or something weird like that.
> >
> > --
> > P.
> > (Remove 'your.inhibitions' to reply)
> >
> Perhaps she used the tomes that were lying around in BG1?
>
> David
She couldn't have - I nicked them all ;-). If only they could import
into BG2, I'd give Jaheira a few manuals of charisma to make her more
bearable. Plus, I want to give Minsc his wisdom back and give Imoen
some more strength (eek, this is starting to sound like the Wizard of
Oz).
me...@nc.rr.com
dwarven wizard slayer, elf archer, human cleric, halfling thief, and
an elven mage. it's working fairly good so far only i think screwed
up because i helped bodi or what ever her name is and my friend told
me that's the evil path, hence i shouldn't be doing that with a
paladin
mean
Mitchell Chapman
<me...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3b19c5d9....@news-server.nc.rr.com...
> personally, I just tried doing that very thing. I chose a Paladin,
> dwarven wizard slayer, elf archer, human cleric, halfling thief, and
> an elven mage. it's working fairly good so far only i think screwed
> up because i helped bodi or what ever her name is and my friend told
> me that's the evil path, hence i shouldn't be doing that with a
> paladin
doesnt really matter if u do it or not... think of it as a means to an end..
ur Paladin is doing wrong to serve the greater good... and he has this idea
that it will help defeat an even greater evil in the near future.. =]
Luke Goaman-Dodson
> dwarven wizard slayer, elf archer, human cleric, halfling thief, and
> an elven mage. it's working fairly good so far only i think screwed
> up because i helped bodi or what ever her name is and my friend told
> me that's the evil path, hence i shouldn't be doing that with a
> paladin
The subject says "BG1". You are talking about BG2.